Rolling rule



Patented June 4, 1940 I PATENT OFFICE- 1, ROLLING RULE William E.^Evans,-Waterbury, Conn., assigner to The Waterbury Lock and Specialty Company, Milford, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut I Amilieati February 16, 1939,seria1No. 256,695 4 Claims. (Cl. 33;138)

This invention relates to an.improvement yin, rolling rules in which the rule or tape measure is formed from astrip-of metalof the concavoconvex type.

One object of the invention being to' provide a spring tension for the rule as itl is being wound into the case or drawn outward therefrom.

Another object ofthe invention is l.to utilize a helical spring land so anchor it in the case that it can not be extended lengthwise.

Other objects are obtained by the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as hereinafter described and shown.

In the drawings: l

Fig. 1 is a front view of the rolling rule construction in accordance with my invention, and showing the outer end ofthe rule partly withdrawn;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan View on an enlarged scale with one side of the case` removed and showing the rule partially drawn outward;

Fig. 4 is a similarview showing the rule as partially entered into the case;

Fig. l5 is a perspective view of one part of the case detached; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the end of the rule detached.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a case formed from two shells I0 and II connected together by a centrally-arranged tubular post I2. 'Ihe case is provided with an entrance slot I3 and one wall of the slot is turned inward forming a guide lip I4. The case is also formed with inwardly-projecting lugs I 5, more or less in number for the purpose as will hereinafter appear. Within the case is a helical spring I6, and this spring corresponds substantially in diameter to the space between the inner faces of the case. 'I'he inner ends I1 and I8 of the spring are anchored to the case on opposite sides of the slot I3 and the lugs I5 project between adjacent convolutions of the spring so as to prevent the spring from creeping. I

The rule I9 is preferably concave-convex and is folded at its inner end to provide a loop 20,

the overlapping end 2| being secured to the rule by an eyelet 22. `Beyond the eyelet, therule is given a sharp bend or shoulder 23to engage with and deflect the convolutions of the spring but without increasing the lengthcf the spring. The outer end of the rule is provided with the usual finger-piece 24. The guide lip I4 not only guides the tape into the case but also acts to prevent the finger-piece 24 from entering the Ease.

In returning the rule into the case, the s houl-Iy der. 23 engages the rst convolution ofthe spring andis guided bythe lip I4, and engages succes-y v sivev convolutions of the spring so as to press the lconvolutions outward toward the wall of the case. As the tape enters,` each convolution is laid over in positionby Contact from `,the convolution preceding it, so as to be in position when the tape arrives, insuring extreme smoothness. 'I'he loop of the rule freely turns on the post I2.

' The rule is, therefore, under equal tension until it has completely entered into the case and obviously is underv the same tension until it is fully withdrawn from the case. The spring gives substantially-continuous contact with the rule, and consequently provides for smoother action in drawing out or pushing in the rule. obvious without further illustration that instead of using the continuous spring it might be divided into two parts with both ends of each part anchored to the case.

The invention may be carried out in other specific ways than that herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, andthe present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A tape measuring device comprising: a case formed with an entrance slot; helical spring means anchored adjacent opposite edges of said slot andextending around within the case; and a flexible rule constructed and arranged to extend through said slot and to be movable endwise in through said slot; said helical spring ymeans being so supported within said case and having its convolutions of such size andsaid helical spring means and said flexible rule being so constructed and arranged that when said flexible rule is forced endwise in through said slot, the

convolutions of said helical spring means are laid over toward the peripheral wall of the case, with said convolutions individually rotating about points of the convolutions located at the outer periphery of said spring means, and in consequence causing said flexible rule to become arranged in a coil within the case.

2. A tape measuring device comprising: a case formed withv an entrance slot; helical spring means anchored adjacent opposite edges of said It is` slot and at a number of intermediate locations and extending around within the case; and a exible rule constructed and arranged to extend through said slot and to be movable endwise in through said slot; said helical spring means being so supported Within said case and having its convolutions of such size and said helical spring means and said flexible rule being so constructed and arranged that when said flexible rule is forced endvvise in through said slot, the convolutions of said helical spring means are laid over toward the peripheral wall of the case, with said convolutions individually rotating about points of the convolutions located at the outer periphery of said spring means, and in. consequence causing said exible rule to become Aarranged in a coil within the case. l

3. A tape measuring device lcomprising: a cas formed with an entrance slot; helical spring means anchored adjacent opposite edges of said slot and extending around within the case; a centrally-arranged post in said case; and a flexible rule attached to said post and constructed and arranged to extend through said slotv and to be movable endWise in `throughsaidslot; said helical spring means being so supported Within said case and having its convolutions of such size and said helical spring means and said ilexible rule being so constructed and arranged that When said flexible rule is forced endwise in through said slot, the convolutions of said helical rule to become arranged ina coil Within the case.v

4. A tape measuring device comprising: a case formed with an entrance slot; helical spring means anchored adjacent opposite edges of said slot and extending around within the case; a

.centrally-arranged post in said case; and a flexible rule attached to said post and formed Withr l an abrupt bend a short distance from said postv ,and constructed and Y`arranged to extend through said slot and to be movable endwise in through said slot; said helical spring means being sok supported within said case and having its convolutions of such size and said helical spring means and said flexible rule being so constructed and arranged that when saidiexiblerule Eis forced endwise j n through said slot, thelconvolutionsv of said helical spring means are laid, over toward the peripheral wall of the case, withsad convolutions individually rotating about points of the convolutions located attheouter periphery of said spring means, and 'in consequence causing said exible rule to become r arranged Y in a coil Within the case.

AEVANS. 

